'Natural Music' by Robinson Jeffers


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The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little rivers,
(Winter has given them gold for silver
To stain their water and bladed green for brown to line their banks)
From different throats intone one language.
So I believe if we were strong enough to listen without
Divisions of desire and terror
To the storm of the sick nations, the rage of the hunger smitten cities,
Those voices also would be found
Clean as a child's; or like some girl's breathing who dances alone
By the ocean-shore, dreaming of lovers.


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

Natural Music by Robinson Jeffers: A Musing on the Power and Majesty of Nature

Natural Music, a poem by Robinson Jeffers, resonates with the lyrical beauty and raw power of nature, and celebrates the music of the natural world. The poem depicts the thrilling and awe-inspiring music of the sea and the land, as well as the almost mystical connection between humans and nature. At the same time, the poem also conveys the destructive and merciless nature of the same forces that inspire awe and wonder. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the different layers of meaning in this classic poem and delve into the poetic techniques that Jeffers employs to evoke the beauty and grandeur of nature.

Overview of the Poem

Natural Music is a long poem that consists of seven stanzas, each of which comprises six lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. The poem begins with a description of the music of the sea, which Jeffers describes as "The old voice of the ocean, the bird-chatter of little waves, / (…) the breakers' song of consecration to the night." Jeffers poetically evokes the sound of the sea, describing it as a natural symphony that is both calming and exhilarating.

The poem then shifts its focus to the music of the land, which Jeffers compares to the music of the sea. He describes the "wind's song through a forest" and the "rolling, long-drawn wave / Coming to its foam-white petals on the beach." Jeffers uses vivid imagery to convey the majesty and power of nature, depicting the natural world as both beautiful and terrifying.

The poem's final stanza shifts its focus to the relationship between humans and nature. Jeffers writes that "we, learning from them how to be / Beautiful and cruel also, can make / Of ourselves a light / In the darkness." Jeffers suggests that humans can learn from nature and use its power and beauty to become something greater than themselves.

Analysis of Poetic Devices

Jeffers uses a wide range of poetic devices to convey the beauty and grandeur of nature in Natural Music. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of sensory imagery. Jeffers uses vivid descriptions of sound, sight, and touch to evoke the experience of nature. For example, he describes the "bird-chatter of little waves" and the "wind's song through a forest." These descriptions create a multisensory experience for the reader and help to convey the beauty and power of nature.

Another key poetic device that Jeffers uses in Natural Music is metaphor. Jeffers compares the music of the sea to the "bird-chatter" of waves and the "breakers' song of consecration." These metaphors help to create a sense of harmony and unity between the different elements of nature.

Jeffers also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. The repetition of phrases such as "the old voice of the ocean" and "the land's song" creates a sense of continuity and unity throughout the poem.

Finally, Jeffers uses personification to imbue nature with a sense of agency and power. He describes the sea as "singing" and the waves as "consecrating" the night. These personifications help to create a sense of reverence and awe for the natural world.

Themes and Interpretation

One of the central themes of Natural Music is the power and majesty of nature. Jeffers depicts the natural world as a force of immense power and beauty, capable of inspiring awe and wonder in anyone who experiences it. The poem celebrates the music of the sea and the land, as well as the almost mystical connection between humans and nature.

However, the poem also conveys the destructive and merciless nature of the same forces that inspire awe and wonder. Jeffers describes the waves as "consecrating the night" but also as "grinding the shore." The natural world is both beautiful and terrifying, capable of creating and destroying with equal ease.

Another theme of the poem is the connection between humans and nature. Jeffers suggests that humans can learn from the natural world and use its power and beauty to become something greater than themselves. He writes that "we, learning from them how to be / Beautiful and cruel also, can make / Of ourselves a light / In the darkness." Jeffers suggests that by learning from the natural world, humans can transcend their limitations and become something greater than themselves.

Conclusion

Natural Music is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the music of the natural world and the connection between humans and nature. Jeffers uses a wide range of poetic devices to convey the beauty and grandeur of nature, including sensory imagery, metaphor, repetition, and personification. The poem is a meditation on the power and majesty of nature, conveying both its beauty and its destructive power. Ultimately, Jeffers suggests that humans can learn from the natural world and use its power and beauty to become something greater than themselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Natural Music: A Poem of Ecological Awareness

Robinson Jeffers, one of the most prominent American poets of the 20th century, was a fierce advocate for the preservation of the natural world. His poem "Natural Music" is a powerful ode to the beauty and power of nature, and a warning against the destructive forces of human civilization. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and examine its relevance to our contemporary ecological crisis.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the natural world, as Jeffers invites us to "listen to the natural music / Of the earth." He describes the "wind blowing, water / flowing, birds singing, insects / chirping, leaves rustling, waves / crashing," and invites us to "let the music / Of the earth fill your soul." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Jeffers celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural world, and encourages us to connect with it on a deep emotional level.

The second stanza shifts the focus to human civilization, and the destructive impact it has on the natural world. Jeffers describes the "noise of machines, / The clatter of commerce, the / Roar of cities," and contrasts it with the "natural music" of the previous stanza. He warns that "we are drowning out the / Music of the earth with our / Own noise," and that this is a dangerous and unsustainable path.

The third stanza returns to the theme of nature, and Jeffers describes the "wilderness, the mountains, / The oceans, the deserts, the / Forests, the rivers, the plains," as "the true music of the earth." He argues that these natural landscapes are "more beautiful than any / Symphony or opera," and that they are essential to our spiritual and emotional well-being. He warns that if we continue to destroy these landscapes, we will lose not only their beauty, but also our connection to the natural world.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as Jeffers describes the consequences of our destruction of the natural world. He warns that "the music of the earth will / Die, and we will be left with / Nothing but our own noise." He argues that this will be a tragic loss, not only for the natural world, but also for humanity, as we will have lost our connection to the source of our spiritual and emotional nourishment.

The final stanza is a call to action, as Jeffers urges us to "listen to the natural music / Of the earth, and let it guide / Our actions." He argues that we must "protect the wilderness, the / Mountains, the oceans, the / Deserts, the forests, the rivers, / The plains," and that we must do so not only for the sake of the natural world, but also for our own sake. He concludes by urging us to "let the music of the earth / Fill our souls, and guide us / To a better future."

The themes of "Natural Music" are timeless and universal, and the poem remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1928. Jeffers was writing at a time when the destructive impact of human civilization on the natural world was becoming increasingly apparent, and his warning that we are "drowning out the / Music of the earth with our / Own noise" is even more urgent today, as we face the existential threat of climate change and ecological collapse.

The imagery and language of the poem are also powerful and evocative, and Jeffers uses a range of poetic techniques to convey his message. The repetition of the phrase "natural music" throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and continuity, and reinforces the idea that the natural world is a source of spiritual and emotional nourishment. The contrast between the "noise of machines" and the "music of the earth" is also effective, as it highlights the stark difference between the destructive forces of human civilization and the beauty and power of nature.

In conclusion, "Natural Music" is a powerful and timeless poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world, and warns against the destructive forces of human civilization. Jeffers' message is as urgent today as it was when he wrote the poem nearly a century ago, and his call to action is one that we must heed if we are to ensure a sustainable and just future for ourselves and for the natural world. Let us listen to the natural music of the earth, and let it guide us to a better future.

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